Forest service confirms environmental studies taking away money for fighting fires
February 28, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Money that could be used to reduce the damage from massive forest fires and save lives and property are being eaten up by costly environmental reviews, the U.S. Forest Service confirmed during a congressional hearing Wednesday responding to questions from Congressman Bill Sali.
U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell, appearing before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests & Public Lands, said a significant portion of the money budgeted for hazardous fuel reduction around communities and homes is used up conducting environmental studies. Sali, a member of the committee, noted that spending less on environmental reviews would free up cash. Those funds could be used to eliminate the fuel load of excess trees and brush in federal forest that are making wildfires increasingly dangerous.
In 2007, nearly two million acres of land burned in Idaho due to forest fires. The Forest Service is proposing to spend about $1.98 billion of its approximately $4.1 billion budget request for fiscal year 2009 on wildland fire management. The vast majority of the funds will be spent to fight massive wildfires, like those seen across Idaho and other western states this last summer.
“Lives and property are on the line. The federal government needs to commit more of its limited resources to actually removing hazardous fuels from the forest. We know what the problem is and don't really need to waste more time studying it,” said Sali. “If the Forest Service spent less on environmental reviews, more money could go towards reducing hazardous fuel loads and reducing the threat to communities, homes and lives.”
Sali introduced H.R 4245 last year, a bill that would speed up projects to reduce hazardous fuels and reduce risks from wildfire, insect damage, and disease. Such projects help protect communities and private lands adjoining federal forest lands by reducing the risks on those lands. The bill would allow a shortened environmental review process – a categorical exclusion – as allowed under the National Environmental Policy Act. The bill would keep in place the environmental safeguards stipulated in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, would provide old growth and endangered species protections and comply with forest management plans and environmental laws.
The measure has the backing of the American Forest and Paper Association, Society of American Foresters, American Forest Resource Council, Idaho Association of Counties, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Idaho Cattle Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, American Farm Bureau Federation, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Intermountain Forest Association, Federal Wildland Fire Service Association and Idaho Women in Timber.
